Chapter 272: Astonishing Words
Prince Chu knew that the Mister Hua Ying in his mansion was actually from the northwest, which scared him into breaking out in a cold sweat. His only reason for daring to oppose Prince Zhao was his reliance on someone at San Jing Academy to help him. Now that he knew this, he was naturally disheartened.
“How could this be?!” Prince Chu raged in his own home. “Are you all mistaken?”
“This… Mister Hua Ying doesn’t often come to the Capital City, and we aren’t close acquaintances of his, so how could we have recognized him accurately?” the butler asked helplessly. “Besides, who would have thought he had the audacity to impersonate someone?”
“What should we do now? I’m in a predicament I can’t escape!” Prince Chu gritted his teeth, a belly full of frustration with nowhere to direct it.
He had fallen out with Prince Zhao, his son had been blinded, and now the court and the imperial harem were in chaos. He had no idea what the outcome would be.
“Your Highness, Tutor Zhuge has arrived,” a young servant from the mansion reported.
Prince Chu’s first reaction was: “Could he be another fake?”
That imposter Mister Hua Ying had been directly released by the Empress. Logically, this shouldn’t have happened, but the Empress clearly didn’t want to help Prince Chu and intended to let the matter drop.
“This… this servant also dares not be certain,” the young servant looked at the butler helplessly.
“Then please invite him in,” Prince Chu said.
He knew Tutor Zhuge, so he assumed there would be no mistake.
It was indeed Tutor Zhuge who arrived. Prince Chu dismissed his attendants and couldn’t help but complain, “Tutor, you have caused me great suffering! If not for your words to me during the chrysanthemum viewing, how could I have ended up like this…”
Tutor Zhuge’s words had ignited his ambition, and they also allowed the subsequent imposter Mister Hua Ying to easily gain his trust.
Tutor Zhuge, however, was not annoyed. He simply smiled slightly and said, “This old man understands Your Highness’s current feelings. In reality, whether Hua Ying was real or fake doesn’t matter; false words can also convey truth. Didn’t he indeed help you?”
Prince Chu remained silent for a long time after hearing his words. It was true, although this Hua Ying was fake, the matter of Dai Shan was very real.
Although those people had escaped due to the poor guarding of his subordinates, the account book was still extremely useful.
“Furthermore, him being fake is actually more beneficial to Your Highness,” Tutor Zhuge continued. “If he were real, I fear even His Majesty would harbor suspicions towards Your Highness.”
“What the Tutor says is very true. I was foolish before,” Prince Chu realized after thinking it over.
Someone whom even the Emperor could not easily invite had voluntarily joined Prince Chu’s Mansion. This was a taboo.
If someone were to frame him for rebellion because of this, it would be difficult to explain in a short time.
At this point, he couldn’t help but conclude that this fake Hua Ying was also the work of San Jing Academy; otherwise, he wouldn’t have had such great ability.
“The Heir Apparent’s injury was indeed beyond our expectations,” Tutor Zhuge said with lowered brows. “We truly did not anticipate such an unexpected misfortune.”
“Who could have foreseen it? Ying Tong, that little beast, is truly black-hearted and ruthless,” Prince Chu hated the entire Prince Zhao family.
“Then has Your Highness considered what to do next? After all, the tragedy has already occurred, and regret is useless!” Tutor Zhuge reminded Prince Chu.
“Yes, Tutor’s lesson is correct.” Prince Chu took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions. “Now I must request the Emperor to severely punish Prince Zhao and the others. However, regarding the blinding of Bai’er, Prince Zhao insists it was an unintentional mistake.
The matter of the account book is also being debated, but His Majesty has already sent people to investigate. There’s no help for it; the Dong Family’s influence is too great, and the Empress wholeheartedly favors them. His Majesty also has to consider Grand Tutor Dong’s feelings, as it was the Grand Tutor who, against all opposition, supported His Majesty’s ascension.”
“Your Highness, you only think of severely punishing Prince Zhao. Have you considered anything else?” Tutor Zhuge asked.
Prince Chu was stunned by the question. “What else should I consider? Please enlighten me, Tutor.”
“Even if Prince Zhao is punished, what are your plans for the future of Your Highness’s lineage?” Tutor Zhuge said earnestly. “Even if Prince Zhao is severely dealt with this time, the Dong Family’s influence remains, and Prince Zhao’s recovery is only a matter of time. Once this current storm passes, will Your Highness be able to sleep soundly without worry?”
Prince Chu naturally understood Tutor Zhuge’s meaning. As long as the Dong Family was still standing, they would surely seek double revenge on him in the future.
What would he do then?
Thinking of this, he simply knelt before Tutor Zhuge. “Tutor, save me! My mind is in utter chaos, and I am truly at my wit’s end.”
“Your Highness, please rise!” Tutor Zhuge reached out and helped Prince Chu up. “Since Your Highness understands the stakes, there is no need for this old man to say more.
The current priority is naturally to firmly grasp Prince Zhao’s leverage, not to seek justice, but to have sufficient bargaining chips for negotiation. Otherwise, temporary justice is easy to obtain, but it is difficult to ensure eternal peace!”
“What the Tutor says is golden advice, and I will certainly listen,” Prince Chu said urgently. “I wish for the Tutor to speak without reservation!”
“Has Your Highness considered that arguing solely in the Imperial Court is limited? With Grand Tutor Dong not in the Capital City, it is greatly advantageous to Your Highness. As the saying goes, people’s hearts and words are formidable. Perhaps Your Highness should…” Tutor Zhuge’s voice grew lower, audible only to him and Prince Chu.
“Oh, the Tutor means to have the Imperial Academy students…” Prince Chu’s eyes suddenly lit up. “That’s right! Why didn’t I think of that before? Although these people are not officials, they are influential. Once they stand on my side, anyone will have to reconsider.”
“This is merely to create a stir and prevent Prince Zhao and the others from acting rashly,” Tutor Zhuge said. “But Your Highness’s ultimate goal is not just this, and this is what this old man specifically came out of the palace to tell Your Highness.”
“Then what does the Tutor believe the ultimate goal should be?” Prince Chu’s heart began to pound again.
“The Heir Apparent’s injury is truly heartbreaking and regrettable. After he recovers, he will certainly not be able to remain in the palace, but doesn’t the mansion still have a young master?” Tutor Zhuge’s eyes were like an ancient well, deep and wise.
“I see. The Tutor means for Shan’er to enter the palace…” The gloom in Prince Chu’s heart immediately cleared by more than half.
Ying Tong had crippled his son. A blind Heir Apparent could not contend for the position of Crown Prince. But he had more than one son; he also had a younger son, Ying Shan.
Now that Prince Zhao was in the wrong, and he held other leverage. Taking advantage of this situation, it was the perfect time to send his youngest son into the palace.
“Even if Prince Zhao’s Heir Apparent’s actions were unintentional, they ultimately caused a great mistake. He should not remain in the palace,” Tutor Zhuge stroked his snow-white long beard. “Wouldn’t this be more secure than before?”
Indeed, if Ying Bai had not been injured, there would have been several more contests between him and Ying Tong.
No one could predict who would gain the upper hand.
But the current situation was different. As long as it was handled well, it would be a sure victory.
